Excerpt from a story by Josh (after his being grounded for the first time)

Epelouge (sic)

Life can be fun if you make it fun.  You can be too hard on yourself and be cruel.  The story of my life isn't nearly over.  This is just a small slump with some issues.  Elaina and I smile at each other.  The cop hasn't bothered us for days.  Me and my friends gamble for candy.  I get plenty of hugs from Tori.  The things I tried improve happened to improve.  I'm 99.9 percent sure Elaina would want to go out with me if I asked her.  Not ready for that though.  I need some more love advice.  The moral of this story is that some things are good for a bit, then they crash, burn, fall, and perish in a demonic fashion so cruel that you cry yourself to sleep.  But, things can only work out if you try.  You see, I tried towards Elaina and now we wave to each other when we leave everyday.  I kept getting down on myself towards school, and now , I'm on the student council.  Some things work out....

Interview with Josh - redux

What is your name? How old are you?

   Josh.  10  Josh.  10

Where do you live?  What is your home like?

   San Clemente.  It looks very unstable, like it's ready to collapse.  San Clemente.  Small and yellow.

What are your favorite things to do?   Do you do them alone or with others?

   Baseball, video games and strategic things.  Both. Game, sail, write.  Both.

What do you like to eat?  What do you dislike eating?

   Mac & cheese and pizza.  Sloppy Joe, pickles and cheese.  Big burgers and popcorn.  A lot of things, including soup.

What do you think you will do when you grow up?

   Author  Be someones who sails on a boat and acts like a writer.

What does your family celebrate?  How do they celebrate?

   Hanukah.  Opening presents.  Chanukah.  3 presents a night and chocolate.

What do you do on your birthday?

   Breakfast in bed and more presents.  Breakfast in bed and this year a massage.  Red Robin.

What is your favorite color?  Why?

   Blue like the ocean.  Blue, because it's gnarley.

Do you have things to do every day that you don’t like doing?  What are they?

   No.  Yes, school.

What is your favorite thing to wear?  Why?

   My Cabo shirt because it's soft and looks awesome.  Skinny jeans, quicksilver shirts and flat-billed hat - cause it's what's in style.

What would be the best thing someone could give you?

   Lots of things.  One million wishes.  Penguin storm 12.5.

What questions do you have for children in other countries?

   Do you like mustard.  What color is your underpants and why?

Who is your best friend? (and why)

   Max O. because I've known him since 2nd grade and he's the coolest.  Nate, he's complex and calm.

Do you think girls/boys have cooties?

   No, girls are awesome (and hot).  No, girls are awesome.  When I'm 11, I'm going to ask Alena out - because 11 seems appropriate.

Do you have a boy/girlfriend?

   I used to.  Katlyn, until we moved.  Possibly.

What do you think about your brother/sister?

   She doesn't listen to me, but she's funny and cute and I love her.  Demonic.

Who is your meanest friend?

   I don't have a meanest.  Jack, he's kinda jealous.

Do any of your friends tell you secrets? (what secrets?)

   I used to share secrets with Max, such as who we liked.  Yes, big time.  Nate had a codeword for a girl he likes (all american milk)

Which friend do you think you would marry?

   Katlyn  Alena

Who is your prettiest friend?

   Reagan  Alena

Favorite Book/Movie/TV?

   Percy Jackson series/Star Wars/Chowder  Harry Potter/Fred the movie/Phineas & Ferb

Oy, it's so humid...

First day of H school (better late than never, and beats where I had to schlep to-in the snow, uphill, both ways).   Don't feel too bad for the little mensch, he just got a new Ipod and video game (which were not bribes).

Joshie the Sailor Man

Josh, at Sailing Club, sailed his first solo mission.  It was  "young man and the sea."  It was way cool watching him dock by himself.  First, the bay; next, the world.  We celebrated with Gina's pizza, yum.

Turn those machines back on...

It's not easy being green

Somebody's watching you...

It's Cheesey

They've been in the midwest less than 24 hours and have already hit potbelly's, white castle, culver concretes, Omega, the jelly belly factory and the following:

Hey...

check out this cool new blog:   cool blog

take your kids to work day

The kids survived their first day of sailing camp, sculling and braving the frigid (and putrid) bay.  Took them back to my office, where Jillie played on the internet and drew on the giant white board.  Josh held his own during a Halo tournament.  It took him no time to adapt to the different version and given a little more playing time, he could probably even beat Ed.

The next Lebron James...

a poem by Josh

WINTER

The frosted part of the year,

Its snow gives your window a smear.

Be sure to have your heavy coat,

and improve your snow fort with a moat.

Build a snowman in the cold.

Sled down a mountain if you are bold.

And you can't escape the winter fun -

you must wait for spring for the warm sun.

A letter from Peeper, circa 1987

Dear Jordan,

Hey, how's it going?  I'm alright.  How's dating life?  Have you met a lot of new girls or a lot of new fists? Don't worry, you'll find someone.

I've been working out.  Benching, curling, doing sit-ups.  My chest is forming lines and circles.  It's pretty geometrical (pretty big word for a chest).

Everyone is still HYPER or SPASTIC.  Crouton is doing good.  He can climb up and down the stairs now.  Isn't that a good little Oui-oui.

When am I going to come down?  We better start planning soon.

Jared is fine.  Getting ready for college.

We got a new snowblower.  It's such a HYPER little thing.

Are you still sick?  I thought college kids weren't supposed to get sick.  I guess I thought wrong.  Good job Peeper.

Well, nothing else is new.  See you in March.

Love,

Justin XXXXXX

Stream of Consciousness

Writer's block.  Block of writers.  Block head.  Charlie Brown.  Ruth Brown.  Babe Ruth.  Babe the pig.  Bacon.  And eggs.  Ham and eggs.  Ham and cheese.  Cheese pizza.  Pizza pie.  Apple pie.  Pineapple.  Pine tree.  Pine Top Perkins.  Tree top.  Top dog.  Hot dog.  Chili dog.  Chili fries.  Fries and a Coke.  Coke and a smile.  Smile and wave.  Tidal wave.  Big surf.  Taco Surf.  Surfer Dude.  Uncle Dude.  The Dude.  Big Lebowski.  Big Bird.  Birdland.  Jungleland.  Lunchlady land.  Legoland.  Lego block.  Block of writers.  Writer's block.